Hi. I'm new to this group. I have bounced in and out of anaemia for the last 4 years. I have reasonably regular iron infusions to help. I have now been advised to have 18 weeks of chemo as part of my treatment for breast cancer as they found some tiny cancerous cells in my lymph nodes (too small to be seen under ultrasound).
As anaemia is a common side affect of chemo, I feel I'm starting in a poor position. I've not got an oncologist as yet. I've tried to research the situation but can only find info on anaemia caused by chemo.
Although the breast care staff have been fab they don't seem to be taking my current anaemia into account. Likewise my haematologist largely ignores my questions about my cancer. It feels as if no-one treats you like a whole person when addressing your health. Any info or advice would be much appreciated.
I actually have lived and been treated for my rare blood cancer for over 22years now along with other medical conditions so I have to deal with 7-8 different consultant teams. Some do tend to be very tunnel visioned so you get the feeling that they are not that interested.
From my long experience I do know that there is communication in the background between specialisms especially through the MDT meetings so underlying, existing medical conditions are all looked at and followed up as part of the eventual treatment plan……. It would just be good if someone would just talk about it with you quicker. This will obviously be your first question once you meet your Oncologist.
My various blood counts including anaemia were all effectively dealt with over my treatments. I had over 800hrs of chemo, 45 Radiotherapy sessions and two Stem Cell Transplants (SCT) and on the whole did ok.
SCT actually stops the bone marrow from producing anything so during that time it is a very dangerous wait for the Bone Marrow to come alive again and grow all the new cells.
Wishing you all the best with your treatment.
Oh waiting on a hospital phone system
My treatment journey is not representative of a ‘normal’ treatment journey (Hit my community name for my story)
I have a rare, incurable but treatable type of Lymphoma so the big gun treatments I highlighted were over a 2 year timeframe (late 2013 to late 2015) but I had 14 years of other treatments leading up to that point.
My last NHS DB&B tally is at about 121 but it’s all about the greater good in all this, not about the what if’s?….. the why me’s? and the what nexts?
Hang in there and do connect into ‘your’ cancer type group as this is the best way to get through this as you talk with others who totally understand.
